Sunday, October 24, 2010

Book report

Geoffrey B. Charlesworth came recommended in another gardening book, I forget which one. Although he is (or was?) a rock gardener living in the Berkshires, and therefore much of his advice has to be tempered for drought-ridden Zone 7, his book of essays is a delight. I particularly enjoyed the last three pieces, describing a perfect (gardening) day, a less than ideal day and a third kind of day. His advice to be patient, and his description of the excitement of planning a new bed apply to all gardeners. And his ditty about why your plants have died is a classic: You walked too close. You trod on it.You dropped a piece of sod on it.You hoed it down. You weeded it.You planted it the wrong way up.You grew it in a yoghurt cupBut you forgot to make a hole; The soggy compost took its toll...